Crane Wins 3rd in a Row

Mixed martial arts: Glendale resident chokes out opponent in first round for win.

Monday, December 8, 2008 - Grant Gordon - Glendale News Press

GLENDALE — The way things are rolling for Alberto Crane lately, not even a sudden change in opponent can throw off the mixed martial artist.

Crane, a Glendale resident, won his third straight fight on Saturday, submitting Brad “The Carbomb” Nordquist in the first round at King of the Cage’s “Goodfellas” at the Isleta Casino in Albuquerque.

Looking for a stand-up battle, Crane (11-3) saw an opening for a takedown too good to pass up. After taking Nordquist (2-10) to the mat, Crane used elbows on the ground to set up a rear-naked choke for the tapout win in just 1:19.

“I was planning on making it a Muay Thai fight, but he was just wide open for the takedown,” Crane said. “I wanted to get a little more of a fight, but you gotta get the win and the finish — that’s the most important thing.”

Although Nordquist, as Crane was quick to point out, is far from possessing a stellar record, anybody can be a formidable opponent on a week’s notice. That’s what Crane got after his scheduled opponent, Abel Vargas, pulled out.

But it didn’t seem to matter all that much. Nordquist, whose resumé includes winning a fight via three-second knockout, was Crane’s 10th submission victim in his career, and third consecutively in the first round. All three wins have come in New Mexico, where Crane at one time won the King of the Cage lightweight title and is now 9-0.

“I always love fighting in New Mexico,” he said.

Saturday’s win looks to have wrapped up Crane’s 2008, in terms of MMA fighting.

He went 3-2, with the year starting with two losses, the first ending his stint in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. But things are definitely on an upswing.

On Nov. 25, he welcomed twin daughters Sona and Serineh into the world and the husband and new father of three is set to open up Legacy Mixed Martial Arts on Jan. 5 in Encino.

“I’m livin’ the dream,” Crane joked. “I can’t complain.”

The studio, which will be run by Crane and Romulo Barral, will definitely have a strong Brazilian Jiu Jitsu influence as both are world class in the art. Nevertheless, Crane said it will teach mixed martial arts overall. He looks to get back to competition in either February or March, with his gym and his family taking up his time now, though he could take part in some upcoming jiu jitsu and grappling tournaments.

Of course, if everything keeps going Crane’s way, he’ll make his way back to the UFC, which is his major goal.

“I want to get back on the big show and fight the best guys,” he said, “and prove I’m one of the best.”